Definition of Terms

An emergency is a dangerous or serious situation, such as an accident, that happens suddenly or

unexpectedly and needs immediate action:

A workplace emergency is an unforeseen situation that threatens your employees, customers, or the
public; disrupts or shuts down your operations; or causes physical or environmental damage.

The emergency procedure is a plan of actions to be conducted in a certain order or manner, in response
to an emergency event at the workplace or at home.

Fire Hazard
Any actions, materials, or conditions that might increase the size or severity of a fire or that might cause a
fire to start. Hazard is something which may cause you or someone else harm. Fires can cause a lot of
harm to people and some examples of the hazards are –

Heat – The most obvious hazard from a fire is the actual flames. These flames can burn your skin as well
as your eyes and lungs. Burns are life threatening to a large extent and extremely painful.

Smoke – When a fire burns, smoke is often given off. This smoke can be inhaled and cause serious harm
to the lungs. It is a well-known fact that the majority of fires which result in death actually come about
from smoke inhalation rather than burns.

Lack of oxygen –Since oxygen is one of the three components needed for a fire, it is used up quickly.
This means that the fire can burn through the oxygen in a room and leave none for people in the vicinity to
breathe.

Damage to the environment – As a fire burns it will cause damage to the surrounding building or other
things in the environment. This has the potential to cause harm if the surroundings collapse.

ELEMENTS OF FIRE
The fire triangle or combustion triangle is a simple model for understanding the necessary ingredients for
most fires. The triangle illustrates the three elements a fire needs to ignite: heat, fuel, and an oxidizing agent
(usually oxygen). A fire naturally occurs when the elements are present and combined in the right mixture. A
fire can be prevented or extinguished by removing any one of the elements in the fire triangle. For example,
covering a fire with a fire blanket blocks oxygen and can extinguish a fire. In large fires where firefighters are
 called in, decreasing the amount of oxygen is not usually an option because there is no effective way to make
that happen in an extended area

What Should Be Included in an

Emergency Action Plan
An emergency action plan (EAP) is a comprehensive document that outlines the procedures, guidelines, and
responsibilities to be followed during various types of emergencies. The specific contents of an EAP can vary
depending on the type of organization, its location, and the potential hazards it may face. However, here are
some key components that should be included in an effective emergency action plan:

1. Emergency Contacts:
 List of key personnel with their roles and contact information.
 Local emergency services contact numbers (police, fire department, medical services, etc.).
 Contact information for nearby hospitals and medical facilities.
2. Emergency Procedures:
 Detailed steps to be taken during specific types of emergencies (fire, earthquake, flood,
chemical spill, etc.).
 Evacuation procedures, including evacuation routes and assembly points.
 Shelter-in-place procedures for situations where evacuation might not be safe.
3. Roles and Responsibilities:
 Clear roles and responsibilities for designated emergency response team members.
  Responsibilities for employees, staff, and visitors during emergencies.
4. Communication Plan:
 How information will be communicated to employees, visitors, and relevant authorities during
emergencies.
 Methods of communication (alarms, intercoms, emails, phone trees, etc.).
 Protocols for informing and updating stakeholders, including family members of employees if
necessary.
5. Training and Drills:
 Schedule and details of regular emergency drills and training sessions.
 Guidelines for conducting these drills to ensure maximum preparedness and effectiveness.
6. Evacuation Maps and Routes:
 Clearly marked evacuation routes with maps and exit locations.
 Floor plans indicating emergency exits, assembly areas, and safe zones.
7. Safety Equipment and Resources:
 Locations of fire extinguishers, first aid kits, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and
other relevant safety equipment.
 Instructions on how to use safety equipment.
8. Accountability and Headcount:
 Procedures for accounting for all personnel after an evacuation.
 Headcount procedures to ensure everyone has safely evacuated or is accounted for.
9. Hazards and Risk Assessment:
 Identification and evaluation of potential hazards specific to the organization and its location.
 Strategies to mitigate these risks and prevent emergencies where possible.
10. Special Needs and Considerations:
 Plans for accommodating individuals with disabilities or special needs during emergencies.
 Consideration of languages spoken by employees and visitors who might need translation
assistance.
11. Maintenance and Review:
 Schedule for reviewing and updating the EAP regularly to ensure its relevance and accuracy.
 Procedures for testing emergency systems, such as alarms and communication devices.
12. Chain of Command:
 Clear hierarchy of decision-making and communication during emergencies.
 Designated individuals authorized to make critical decisions during an emergency.
Remember that an effective emergency action plan should be tailored to the specific context of your
organization and its potential risks. It's important to involve relevant stakeholders, train employees
regularly, and ensure that the plan remains up to date and accessible to everyone who needs it.